The Vatican is calling directly on Catholic politicians around the world to be true to their faith and ...

But that's the real kicker, isn't it? For the past few decades, the Church has tolerated almost any and all moral dissent from the left with little or no comment, and almost never real action.

Want to be a rabid pro-abortion politician? Far be it from your bishop to say anything about it. Want to get divorce after divorce and still receive all the sacraments without comment? No problem. Want to make statements like all religions are valid paths to the same God? You won't hear a peep from your bishop saying otherwise.

So the real question is how many truly Catholic MP's even exist, in the sense of truly believing and following the teachings of the Church? I would guess it's a small fraction of the number who call themselves Catholic.

The modern Church culture of moral permissiveness, and failure to condemn sin, is now snowballing. And the Church finds itself without the moral authority necessary to put up much of a fight due to neglect of this duty for so long.

The modern Church culture of moral permissiveness, and failure to condemn sin, is now snowballing. And the Church finds itself without the moral authority necessary to put up much of a fight due to neglect of this duty for so long.

Precisely right. But I'll bet the first time these same politicians propose seizing Church property, they'll find themselves excommunicated--bell, book and candle.

Want to be a rabid pro-abortion politician? Far be it from your bishop to say anything about it.

Looks like the bishop of Ottawa condemned the PM. And in the US, the new bishop of Boston has been outspoken in the past about politicians who don't follow their professed faith. Also Bishop Weigand of Sacramento with Gray Davis, the bishop in North Dakota with Tom Daschle, Archbishop Chaput in Denver, all have confronted pro-aborts et al in the past year.

But you're right, that should be the norm, and it shouldn't be a new thing.

Want to be a rabid pro-abortion politician? Far be it from your bishop to say anything about it. Want to get divorce after divorce and still receive all the sacraments without comment? No problem. Want to make statements like all religions are valid paths to the same God? You won't hear a peep from your bishop saying otherwise.